Vani ends extended drought with Jaypee Greens title

By Rahul Banerji

Vani Kapoor overcame an early triple bogey on her way to breaking a title drought on the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour stretching back over two years at the Jaypee Greens on Friday.

The overnight joint leader last won the first leg of the 2018 tour and almost lost missed out again halfway through the final round on the day amid drama over the closing few holes.

Starting the final day alongside Amandeep Drall (79) with a lead of two shots, Vani had a 3-over 75 to finish on 1-over 217 on a cold and blustery morning.

Two-time winner this year, Pranavi Urs (73), who was four behind the co-leaders, turned in level par and in fact caught Vani, who was 4-over for the front nine.

Mid-round drama

On the way back, Vani and Pranavi swapped birdies twice keeping them on even terms as the finish line got closer.

Pranavi then dropped two crucial shots, on the 15^thand 16^th holes and though she did pick up one more shot on the par-4 17^th, Vani, playing one group behind, did the same to stay two shots clear for the long-awaited win.

Overall, Vani had two birdies, two bogeys and a triple, while Pranavi had three birdies against four bogeys.

Limited schedule

Though this is Vani’s first in over two years, she played only four more events after the early win in 2018 and three more in 2019, as she was busy with international tours.

Pranavi may have missed out on the day but has had a good season with two wins and two runner-up finishes in five events held so far. She played the first two events as an amateur, winning once and finishing second once.

Amandeep started with a birdie to take the sole lead but she started crumbling from the fourth hole onwards with four bogeys and a double even before making the turn.

Falling away

Five-over at this stage, Amandeep had fallen too far behind the lead battle and never recovered. A birdie on her way in was a last bright spot as further dropped shots – seven bogeys and a double – cost her heavily.

Gaurika Bishnoi carded a 78 on a patchy day to finish fourth behind Amandeep, while Saaniya Sharma (72) had the day’s best round to take fifth place,

Neha Tripathi (75) was sixth while amateur Hunar Mittal (76), Gursimar Badwal (76) and Ridhima Dilawari (80) shared seventh place. 

Gurjot Badwal (76) and Oviya Reddi (80) were tied 10th.

Amandeep Drall with Rs.4,21,400 leads the Hero Order of Merit, while Vani Kapoor is now second with Rs. 3,94,000. Saaniya Sharma, Neha Tripathi and Pranavi Urs are third, fourth and fifth.

Also read: Perseverance pays at Jaypee Greens for joint leader Vani Kapoor